Hammerman Ikon

Hammerman Ikon Film Guide

Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)
2020
***½
Director: Cathy Yan
Cast: Margot Robbie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Rosie Perez, Chris Messina, Ella Jay Basco, Ali Wong, Ewan McGregor

When the Joker breaks up with Harley Quinn, every wronged person in Gotham City wants to settle their personal score with her. This includes crime boss Roman Sionis, who agrees to spare her life in exchange for a diamond stolen by a teenage pickpocket. Harley Quinn was the sole bright spot in the utterly forgettable Suicide Squad. Nominally, this is the origin story of the Birds of Prey, a team of female superheroes, but really this is Harley's movie. Apart from Shazam!, the DC Extended Universe has not become synonymous with fun and entertainment. However, Cathy Yan's movie is pumped up with Harley's insane, anarchic energy, and the outcome is either wacky and unpredictable or all over the place. In any case, it is enjoyable. Margot Robbie is excellent in the lead.